Story photos

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

The Phuktal monastery is the epitome of monks living high up in the mountains, detached from the rest of the world. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

Phuktal is the remotest part of Zanskar. The green fields are a rare sign of civilisation in the sparsely populated interiors of this Zanskar valley. This was the landscape en route Phuktal monastery. Read the full story of our visitto Phuktal monastery at Trek to Phuktal Monastery

This is a typical landscape in Zanskar - brown barren mountains of the Greater Himalayas, white stone houses and patches of fields around the villages being the only greenery. We crossed this village on our way to the Phuktal monastery. Read full stories on Trek to Phuktal Monastery

This board is bang opposite a petrol pump (gas station). A single hand cranked fuel dispenser is operated by a lone employee there. This petrol pump caters to the fueling needs of around 14000 people - the population of the entire Zanskar valley! Which makes this solitary pump the one and only means for the people of Zanskar to be connected to the world beyond their valley.

This young couple hosted us at their guest house called Mont Blanc in Padum, the headquarters of Zanskar valley. The guy was the elected representative of the people of Padum. He was mesmerised by Mont Blanc on his trip to France and decided to name his place after it.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Next to the main monastery in Karsha is an old 11th C. monastery called Chuchik Jal Lhakhang. It has many beautiful old paintings on its walls. The monastery is now not in use and they are trying to raise funds for its restoration and maintenance.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Karsha has the biggest monastery in Zanskar. The village of Karsha is known as a model village. There is a school, a medical sub centre. Trees have been cultivated systematically and most people are into agriculture.

Prayer beads, bell, the Mani wheel (prayer wheel), and colour - all important aspects of worship here. People of the Zanskar valley follow the Padmasambhava sect of Buddhism, a school of Tibetan Buddhism. Read more on the Simple Life in Sani

Prayer beads, bell, the Mani wheel (prayer wheel), and colour - all important aspects of worship here. People of the Zanskar valley follow the Padmasambhava sect of Buddhism, a school of Tibetan Buddhism. Read more on the Simple Life in Sani